Respirator facepiece



May 4, 1937. w. A. WHIPPLE RESPIRATOR FACEPIECE Filed Oct. 51, 1956 Patented May 4, 1937 UNITED STATES RESPIRATOR FACEPIECE Willis A. Whipple, Camp Lake, Wis., Robert Malcom,

assignor to Chicago, Ill.

Application October 31, 1936, Serial No. 108,647

7 Claims.

This invention relates to facepieces of respirators and similar devices that include a part of relatively soft flexible material, such as sheet rubber, for example, that covers the nose and mouth, and conforms to the face of the wearer.

It is an object of the invention to provide an attachment for such a facepiece that contributes to the conformation of the material thereof to the face with a snug and substantially fluidtight fit, whereby leakage of vitiated air to the respiratory passages is prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment of this kind that constitutes means of connecting the head-band to the facepiece, and the arrangement is such that pull or exertion of the head-band in holding the facepiece on the user causes members of the attachment to be urged toward each other and to press the facepiece material against the nose in conforming contact therewith.

When considered with the description herein, the characteristics of the invention are apparent in the accompanying drawing, forming part hereof, wherein an adaptation of the invention is disclosed, for purposes of illustration.

Although the disclosures herein exemplify what now is considered to be a preferable embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that it is not the intention to be limited necessarily thereto in interpretation of the claims, as modifications and adaptations within the limits of the claims can be made without departing from the nature of the invention.

Like reference-characters refer to corresponding parts in the views of the drawing, of which- Fig. 1 is a side view of the facepiece as it appears on the face of a user;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the facepiece and attachment;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view of a modification;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 55, Fig. 4.

In the drawing, A designates a respirator facepiece of relatively soft molded rubber made to cover the nose and mouth of the user, and to conform to and to fit tightly against the face when held in place by a head-band B, which usually is of elastic webbing; C designates an annular threaded member or shell having fluidtight connection in the front of the facepiece for association with an air-filter or means of air supply, and D designates a part containing an exhalation-valve.

The invention is directed to means for connecting the head-band to such a facepiece and for pressing'the' facepiece material against and over the nose of the user, while under the tension of the head-band, to insure a tight fit of the material, ina manner similar to the attachment disclosed by my co-pending application filed May 11, 1936, Ser. No. 79,155.

The attachment consists of two members of strong spring sheet material, preferably metal, designated as a Whole by the numeral 6, each of the members being positioned on the facepiece opposite to the other.

Each member comprises a rather broad body part 1, somewhat elongated, which is curved to lie close to the surface of the facepiece material. It is held, by a rivet or other suitable fastener 8 at or near each end, securely in a substantially vertical line below the nose portion and between the annular member C and the rear or facecontacting edge.

Each member has integrally formed therewith an arm or finger 9 extending upwardly and rear wardly beyond the upper fastener 8. This arm or finger is disposed substantially parallel to the top or bridge of the nose portion of the facepiece and along the side thereof. It bears at its free or upper end, and to some extent between its ends, against the facepiece material at the side of the nose.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each arm or finger 9 may have a bead it] at or near its tip to contact with the facepiece material.

A lug H extends outwardly from the front edge of the body part 1 between the fasteners 8, it preferably is formed integrally of the body, and it has near its outer end an eye 12 to receive a part of a loop B to which the head-band is connected.

When a facepiece equipped with the attachment of this invention is held on the face of the user by the head-band, as seen, for example, in Fig. 1, the band, in the exertion of holding the facepiece against the face, causes the oppositely positioned arms or fingers 9 to press the facepiece material against the sides of the nose and snugly thereover.

This pressing action of the rearwardly-extending arms or fingers is caused and maintained by the rearward exertion of the head-band on the lugs outstanding from members, because those lugs and the arms or fingers are on opposite sides of the points of connection of the members to the facepiece at the fasteners 8, and there is some tilt in the body parts of members 6. As a result of this tilt, there is some pressure of the rear edges of those parts against the facepiece material, which pressure contributes to the conformation of the material to the face.

What I claim as: new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A facepiece of flexible material, and members on opposite sides each comprising a body part lying close and conforming substantially to the contour of said facepiece, a finger extending therefrom, and means on said body for connection with a headband, said fingers being arranged to be pressed toward each other under exertion of the headband.

2. A facepiece of flexible material h I ying a nose portion, a member comprising a body part connected to each side of said facepiece and lying close and conforming substantially to the con; tour of said facepiece, a finger on each body part abutting the nose portion of said facepiece, and a lug outstanding from each of said members for connection with a headband, said members being arranged to be tilted under ex'rt ionof theheadband to press said fingers against said nose portion.

3. A facepiece of flexible material, and members on opposite sides each'comprisin'g a body part lyingclose and conforming 'substantially to the contour of said facepiece, a finger extending therefrom, and a lug outstanding from said body part for connection with a headband, said body parts being arranged to be tilted under exertion of the headband to press said fingers toward each other.

' 4. A facepiece of flexible material having a nose portion, sheet material members on opposite sides each comprising a body part lying close and conforming substantially to the facepiece, a finger extending therefrom, and a lug outstanding from said body part for connection with a headband, said members being arranged to be tilted under exertion of the headband to press said fingers against said nose portion.

5. A facepiece of flexible material, members on each side thereof each comprising a flat body part attached to said facepiece and lying close and conforming substantially to the facepiece, a finger extending from said body part, and means on said body part for connection with a headband, said members being arranged to be tilted under exertion of the headband to press said fingers toward each other.

6. The combination, with a facepiece of flexible material, of members on each side thereof and each comprising a body part attached to the facepiece and lying close and conforming substantially to the contour thereof, a finger extending from said body part, and a lug outstanding from said body part for connection with a head; band, said members being arranged to be tilted under exertion of the headband to press said fingers toward each other.'

7. The combination, with a facepiece of flexible material, of members on each side thereof and each comprising a body part connected near its ends to said facepiece and lying close and conforming substantially to the contour of said facepiece, a lug outstanding from said body part for connection with a headband, and a finger extending from said body part, said members being arranged to be tilted under exertion of the headband to press said fingers toward each other.

WILLIS A. WHIPPLE. 

